Stage 4 of the 2026 Tour de France was always expected to be a day for the breakaway, and that's exactly how it unfolded. A 34-rider move escaped early and stayed clear, setting up a fascinating tactical battle between some of the strongest breakaway riders in the race.
Biniam Girmay bested rivals Jasper Philipsen and Mads Pedersen to the intermittent sprint points and then sat up. He was never interested in the stage, but Lidl-Trek were the team of the day. Mads Pedersen, Quinn Simmons and their teammates were in complete control. It was inevitable that one of them would take the stage. While Lidl-Trek celebrated the stage victory, the yellow jersey also changed hands as another rider moved into the overall race lead. Tadej Pogacar was clearly happy to allow this.
Ned Boulting and David Millar breakdown the action
🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music
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